Keep your internet connection secure with these tips.
You’re writing an important document online. Or alternatively deep into a fantastic game. Or talking to someone on a remote call. All of a sudden the internet connection goes out and you’re left hurling profanities at the laptop! In such a case, don’t start stressing, thinking it’s some technical fault you’ll have to call an engineer out for, almost certainly it’s just a slight snafu with your internet router.
That little box that is your router does so much and is so vital to maintaining your internet connection that if there’s any problems with it, then there’s no online connection for you… end of story, period. Your router is a computer unto itself, containing a CPU, memory, and storage capacity, and like any computer has the occasional technical ‘hiccup’ that needs resolving.
More often than not, there’s no need to worry as usually all your router needs is a simple ‘reboot’. By turning it off, waiting around 10-30 seconds, then turning it back on again, you reboot the CPU to factory settings, clear out any lingering electrical charges that are interfering with the router’s RAM operation… and hey presto, everything starts working again!
But why does your router ‘crash’ every so often and is there a way to avoid it, especially at decidedly inconvenient times? The answer on the second point is no, it’s just the way things go, a router is a technological device like any other and thus will experience the occasional ‘bug’ that needs resolving. But don’t see it as a problem, just a minor blip that can be easily resolved.
On the first point, and as stated, a router is no different to any other device; sophisticated it may be but flawless it is not, requiring the occasional ‘fix’ to get it back to optimum performance. And for the purposes of this article, we will discuss the best ways to do that.
So plug in, log on, and let’s go…
Why Routers Crash
Despite technological advancements in computers and processing, routers are still prone to incidents of malfunction or other hardware issues. There are a number of reasons why your router may be disrupted; basic processing problems like firmware using too much memory at a given time, kernel panic, or even basic overheating. Another common issue is IP address conflicts, in that if there is more than one network on your device, then the private/public IP addresses may get confused, causing a break in the connection. None of these are particularly worrisome and almost all can be solved with a simple reboot.
Learn more below.
Best Ways To Avoid A Router Crash
While it is inevitable that your router – like any device – will experience occasional tech problems, there are some ways you can mitigate them and enhance the performance of your router.
- Update your firmware. Your router has an operating system that is still vulnerable to malware as it is connected directly to the internet. It is thus important that you ensure your router is properly updated and acting as an efficient firewall for your devices. Some routers receive automatic updates from the respective ISP but it’s important you check, and if not, that you manually update your router’s firmware to ensure security and online safety for your devices.
- Check for overheating. Like all technological and mechanical devices, routers conform to the laws of thermodynamics and one of those is energy output causing potential overheating. Routers can overheat like any other device and oftentimes this could be the reason for a connection break. If your router feels hot to the touch, unplug it for a minute or so, check the vents that none of them are covered and are clear of any obstruction or excessive dust. It’s also highly recommended that you keep your router in the open and not bungled away in a cupboard, both for signal reasons as well as keeping it clean.
- Consider getting a new router. If you have consistent problems with your router, more than you commonly should have on average, it’s perhaps time you upgraded to a new router model. This is especially pertinent if your router is an especially older model. Wireless tech has come along in leaps and bounds of late and a brand new model with some nifty features and enhanced tech may be just the thing to plug you back into smooth operating again. And at the very least, you’ll rid yourself of the need to constantly reboot… and who could argue against that!?
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